A number of vehicles, parked illegally on both sides of Gulshan Road-36 in the capital, narrowed down the road, blocking traffic on it on Wednesday — FE Photo Illegally-parked vehicles, mainly private cars, are occupying most of the important lanes and bye-lanes in many parts of the capital including posh Gulshan, and causing traffic gridlocks very often.
The halt in traffic movement creates problems for the businesses, residents, pedestrians and other people visiting the area.
The situation leads to incurring financial loss by many, and waste of time for all, sources said.
A random visit on Wednesday by this correspondent to Gulshan and areas adjacent to it revealed that roads linking different blocks with Gulshan Avenue remain occupied with illegally-parked vehicles.
Vehicles owned by many influential people, including Members of Parliament (MPs), bureaucrats and businessman, were found parked illegally.
The traffic congestion worsens mostly in the evening, when the offices close and many people flock to the restaurants and hotels in the area, sources said.
It was found that both sides of Road-46 and Road-45 near Gulshan Circle-2 were almost occupied by vehicles..
Hasmot Ali, driver of a private vehicle, said he parked his car on Road-45, as he had no alternative.
"The car owner advises me to park here since his office building has limited garage space."
Mr Hasmot also said the vehicle owner had paid fines imposed by the traffic policemen on several occasions.
Talking to the FE, many drivers in the area acknowledged that illegal on-street parking narrows down the street, where two cars cannot pass through side by side.
Sources said the situation in some other important areas across the capital, including Motijheel, Dhanmondi, Kawran Bazar and Uttara etc is nothing different.
Despite repeated actions taken by police, unavailability of parking lot in those areas forces many people to park their cars on the street, illegally.
According to officials, parking facilities in the area are far less than what the vehicles seek. Besides, they said, reluctance of many drivers to obey traffic rules, and time limitations are some of the key reasons behind the situation.
However, an official of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) traffic division admitted that the DMP has provided on-street parking facility on various roads at Gulshan to increase parking capacity in the area.
According to a list available with him, on-street parking facility is available on roads 4, 8, 11, 12, 13, 62, 63, 75, 86, 90, 103, 109, 113 and 135 at Gulshan.
Drivers can park their respective vehicles on one side of the roads selected by DMP.
During another visit, more than hundred private vehicles were seen parked on Road-36 near Gulshan Central Mosque.
Rajib Mia, driver of one of the vehicles waiting there, said he knows about legal on-street parking on Road-109 on the eastern side of Gulshan Avenue, but he is reluctant to go there.
"My boss wants me to park the car nearby his office here, besides it takes much time to park the vehicle on Road-109," he added.
When contacted, Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Gulshan Traffic Zone Junayed Alam Sarker said the members of the traffic police concerned are duly doing their duties to check such illegal practice in the area. But the situation remains almost unchanged for some reasons.
"You can compare the situation here with removing water-hyacinth in a pond. The vehicle owners continue to park their vehicles on lanes despite our regular actions."
Many shopping malls, office buildings, schools and other establishments in the area lack adequate parking facility.
Besides, the buildings constructed earlier have very limited space to accommodate cars, he also said.
"Many vehicle owners find no other alternative but to park their cars on roads. In a sense, they are helpless. But, we regularly take actions against them."
The police officer further said they often issue notice of financial penalty to the people concerned for illegal parking of vehicles based on video footage.
Around 3,400 video footage-based cases have been filed until September 26. Some of the offices in the area have received more than 100 notices each for illegal parking.
The members of Gulshan Zone traffic unit have filed 100-150 cases against illegal parking, he added.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
